College Bound? Beware of Financial Aid Fraud

The Better Business Bureau warns us that although scholarships, grants, and financial aid are common elements in college application process, so are scams.

Financial aid fraud to watch for:

Some con artists contact families of potential college students and tell them they’ve been awarded a scholarship. They claim the money is guaranteed if the “winner” provides bank account or credit card information. Many of these fraudulent operations use official-sounding names with the word ‘federal’ or ‘national’, but be warned, they are not affiliated by any government agency.

Scammers also take advantage of students who are working hard to pay off their loans. In many cases, a student loan scammer claims to be able to get rid of your debt, but asks for a fee up front, which is illegal. Students who have a lot of debt and are looking to consolidate may fall victim to this type of scam.

Application Fees – Beware of scholarships that charge an application fee, even if the fee is minimal or the foundation claims the fee is to only encourage serious students to apply. Legitimate scholarship foundations do not charge an application fee.

Guaranteed Scholarships – Avoid scholarship services that claim you are guaranteed to receive money. Legitimate scholarship services have no control over who the scholarship foundation chooses to win the grant.

Solicitations – Be wary of letters or phone calls stating you have been selected or are a finalist for a scholarship you never applied for, this is a sign of a scam. Be careful not to send out personal or banking information, or write a check to unfamiliar businesses.

Advance-Fee Loans – Avoid lenders that offer you an unusually low-interest rate for an education loan and then require an upfront fee before you can receive the loan. Only work with lenders or banks you are familiar with. If you are searching for an education loan, be aware that real lenders do not charge an upfront application fee, rather they deduct their processing fees from the check before the student receives the loan.

Seminars – If you decide to attend an information seminar on scholarships or financial aid, be aware this is most likely a sales pitch for scholarship services. While at the seminar, do not be pressured into paying for services on the spot. Before you purchase any services, carefully research the organization. Do not hand over any money if the representative does not directly and fully answer your questions.

In Case You Missed It

Indivisible Greenwich, a local chapter of Indivisible, the national movement created to protect America’s democracy during the Trump Administration, will meet on Thursday, February 21st, at 7:00pm, at Eastern Middle School, 51 Hendrie Avenue, Riverside. The meeting will be a joint event co-hosted with Indivisible Stamford, a Stamford chapter of Indivisible.